The Escapists: Walking dead is a new addition to the Xbox market, and is developed and published by Team 17 Digital and is a combination of the award winning game the Escapists, and the worldwide success which is the Walking Dead. In the game we are tasked with taking on the role of Rick Grimes, who is in charge of a survivor group, as they look to take on hordes and hordes of zombies. Rick and the group must secure their safety by seeking out safe escape routes from each area of the game, and combining with dangerous tasks that could see anyone of them get bitten by a walker and effectively killed, their choice is simple. To fight to survive or to die.
From starting the game, you are to get use to the controls, which is not a too complex button configuration as you`ll undertake the tutorial within Harrison Memorial Hospital, where the infection has already kicked in. Left bumper to move, the 4 traditional X,Y,B,A, and the right triggers are the main ones you`ll use, with the addition of a few when selecting the inventory items. From the heart of the game, you can see and feel many of the original Escapists game mechanics, such as levelling up by reading (which in this version you read up books for new craft tools and materials- the higher the level the better tools you can craft together) and use this in a way to plot your escape from the zombies. Throughout the game you`ll find yourself crafting and escaping through other locations such as Greene Family Farm (which is the first main mission location), Woodbury and Alexandria, just to name a few.
A huge implementation in this version of the Escapists which perhaps is very similar to the original game is the use of the zombie level threat. The more you miss your meal times, don’t do the chores your set, and missing head counts, will start to raise your zombie level threat. The higher this becomes, the more you`ll start to lose the respect and association of your fellow survivors, and it`ll be very unlikely that they won’t follow you on certain missions if your threat level is too high. It`s important I found that you want to be keeping this on a low throughout the game, not because I wanted them to join me on missions (As I always tend to just rush into it with my character) but they do help in other aspects later in the game so it`s always good to have them on your side and not against you.
Now, throughout the game, you`ll collect loot and a few other items, but you have a very limited space in your on-self inventory as I call it, as you`ll have only a few spaces for the key essentials to have on you. I made sure I always had a weapon with me, aswell as some food/medicine to heal up when I was out in the open. However, you`ll come across desks throughout the game, and these can be used to store bits that you have collected. This could be items that you use to create and craft tools, food supplies, anything that may be beneficial in the future. And of course, this storage space is a lot bigger than what your on-self one is.
Should you die from being a zombie attack, you`ll wake up the next morning and your threat level will be at a very high point. When one of your campmates are attacked, it`s a different story. If one of them is bitten by a zombie, then you have the chance to send them to their bed to recover, and to survive. However, if you do not send them to their bed within a certain time, then it will be lights out for that person, and the next time you`ll see them, they`ll be coming towards you in their full zombie glory, looking to take you out.
One of the harshest things of the original escapists game, you`d have to be very careful when it came to dying, as the game had no regrets and no remorse in punishing you big time if you die. All your progress would have been reset and any items you have gathered would have been confiscated. You`d lose everything, big time. In the Walking Dead edition, it is a bit more understanding and not so painful when you`d die. You keep your progression and items, and this allows a greater exploration when it comes to the game, knowing that if you die, you don’t literally lose everything. Money is a key thing also when it comes to this game, as you`ll get money for completing tasks and objectives. In return, vendors will come out to you at night, and you can buy supplies for yourself and the rest of your group. Shovels, ammo, guns and much more are all on offer, so think strategically what to spend that precious money on.
The Walking Dead edition of the Escapists is actually pretty fun and addictive to play. I found myself playing for a whole day non-stop trying to build up Rick`s strength, intelligence and his resources, and to help myself and my camp through survival. I think this one has been a cracking game to the series, and is a must buy for both fans alike of the Escapists and the Walking Dead.
A Huge thank you to XCN for supplying us with this copy of the Escapist: Walking Dead edition.
